22 May C Spire Live Day of Country Concert

C Spire Live – Day of Country

Photography and Article by Judy Smith

The amazing line up at the C Spire Day of Country Concert held in Madison, Mississippi, this past weekend on Saturday, May 20, 2017, helped to usher in the summer with its definitely cool island vibes and stellar group of performers. Music lovers from all over, including some international guests, were treated to a day filled with lots of great music, delicious food, and plenty of fun times.

Entering the venue was almost like leaving the world behind and stepping into an island retreat where you could shake your troubles off at the shore. Tricked out with palm trees, real sand imported from the islands for guests to enjoy some beach volley ball, beach balls, sombreros, cowboy hats, leis, and island themed food and drinks, the field at the Baptist Health Systems Campus was filled with a party crowd and island feel, courtesy of multi-award winning superstar and headliner Kenny Chesney. Country newcomer Russell Dickerson started off the party, but there was a little rain delay that haulted the festivities for a bit as music lovers were sent for cover until the rain storm passed.

But beach-loving Jake Owen didn’t let the rain dampen his spirits or those of the crowd. He kicked the party off in full-force and didn’t stop as he brought his high-energy show to the Madison crowd, interacting with the fans, taking selfies with phones tossed to him onstage by fans and having just as much fun as the crowd did. The stage dazzled with palm trees and ocean views with tropical sunsets on the screen behind this country superstar who was more than happy to sing to what he proclaimed to be “one of the rowdiest and most fun crowds” that he had played to. Holding true to his two-time platinum anthem, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” Owen tossed off his shoes and brought on the music, keeping the party pumping with his hits like “Beachin,’” “Real Life,” “Alone with You,” and “Anywhere with You.” Owen left the stage, leaving the crowd ready for more good music.

As the sun started to peak through just a bit, Thomas Rhett, one of the hottest rising superstars took the stage. Rhett kept the uptempo beat going and the crowd dancing as he opened the show with his Platinum hit, “Crash and Burn.” Showing off some pretty slick dance moves throughout the show, Rhett entertained the crowd with his chart toppers “T Shirt,” “Party Like We’re on Vacation,” “It Makes Me Wanna,” “Star of the Show,” and his latest “Craving You.”

“We couldn’t wait to get back to Mississippi,” Rhett said. “It’s always a great crowd.” After dedicating his blockbuster hit, “Die a Happy Man” to his expectant wife, Lauren, Rhett introduced the newest member of their family to the crowd, Willa, that after a year-long adoption process had finally found her way to the Rhett home and was greeted warmly by the “Magnolia State” crowd.

The party kicked up quite a few notches as 8-time Entertainer of the Year award winner Kenny Chesney blasted off the show with his megahit “Beer in Mexico,” and he never let the party stop, singing some of his greatest and most fun Summer time anthems, such as “Sweet Summertime,” “Reality,” “Livin’ in Fast Forward,” “How Forever Feels,” “Young,” and so many more. As always, Chesney brought his high-energy show to Madison but couldn’t help but stop for a moment and take in the atmosphere as the crowd took over “I Go Back,” singing every word and waving their arms in air. Breaking out old and new favorites, such as “You and Tequila Make Me Crazy,” “Noise,” “Till It’s Gone,” and “Setting the World on Fire,” Chesney encouraged the crowd to forget their worries for a bit as he led into his island-vibe anthem “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.” The “No Shoes Nation,’ Chesney’s devoted followers were thrilled to see their favorite artist sing some of their favorite songs, such as “Big Star,” “Pirate Flag,” “American Kids,” and “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” and Madison should feel pretty honored as it is just one of a handful of stops that Chesney will be making this year as he is taking 2017 off from touring. But in true fashion to Chesney’s humble nature, he was the one that felt honored and was very appreciative of the love generated from the energetic crowd.

Before he started into one of his chart toppers, “Somewhere With You,” Chesney spoke of his appreciation to the crowd for braving the storm and bringing enough energy, joy, and love to him that will bolster him through the rest of the year. “We are so honored to be ‘Somewhere with You’ because this is just one of about a dozen shows that we have planned for this year, and I can’t thank you enough for all the love, energy, and positive vibes you’ve given me tonight. It’s been truly a blessing to play for you tonight, and I hope that we get the chance to come back to this stage and play for you in the future,” Chesney said.

To say that C Spire’s “Day of Country” Music Festival was a success is a major understatement. With a star-filled stellar cast of entertainers in a very fun and vibrant setting, the party never stopped with the high-energy and fun shared between the fans and the entertainers. Plus, it was a fabulous way to kick off the summer.

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